Brazilian space plans: 2011-2015

[Rik ISS-fan]

@Steven Pietrobon, I agree VLS-1 belongs on the 100% failure rate list. But is it confirmed that Super Strypi will not launch anymore? (sorry for goeng of topic)

I've been wrong on some thing.
VS-43 in PNAE 2005-2014 is a single stage S43 sounding rocket. The upper part is most likely the ESA/Airbus MAXUS payload system.

I also got the impression that Germany is developing much of the technologies for VLM-1. link
OHB/MT Aerospace have developed a new production method for composite solid rocket casings. In OHB's 2015 annual report on page 71, it is reported that MT Aerospace will start a project in 2016 funded by DLR. For this project MT Aerospace will develop and build three solid rocket casings, most likely S50 stages. They will be used for testing the Brazilian VLM-1 launcher. It also states that the engine test is planed for 2018. (in the 3Q report it was stated that the S50 engine would be tested at the end of 2017. And the dimentions of S50 were  stated a 1,45m diameter and 5m boss to boss length.
I also found out that DLR has funded studies for a hot seperation system for the S50 stages (2th stage burning before seperation). And DLR has been studiing a hybrid upper-stage for VLM launcher.

There could be a possibility that MT Aerospace will build the S50 Casings. Brazilian companies/government will build the nozzle (and possibly igniter) and execute the fuel loading operation in Brazil. For launches from Europe the loading operation can take place at AVIO (Italy) or Nammo (Norway).
I think DLR will continue the VLM-1 development without Brazil when Brazil's funding and progress stalles the launcher development. DLR and ESA need the VS-50 and VLM-1 to execute launches of some suborbital technology development flights. (MAXUS sounding rocket, Expert, SHEFEX III, and possibly some HyFiRE sounding rockets).

I think the VSISNAV (altitude control system test) flight, that was planned for the second half of 2017, can still take place around this time. It will most likely launch on a VS-43 (S43) or S43-S44; S43-S40; S43-S40-S44.
For Brazil it might be interesting to develop composite replacements for the S30; S40 and S43 after the S50 development has been completed. Possibly OHB/ MT Aerospace will allow a Brazilian company to use there technology, or they might set up a Brazilian business unit for this. We shall see.     

[baldusi]

I believe that they don't know which kind of support they are going to get. But Dilma's was the all time lowest. So they will just stay un survival mode until a new government settles and actually makes a decision.

[Rik ISS-fan]

Detail about VLM and it's planning in the OHB 2016 first quarter report, page 18.
All already known but nice to have an official source for the information.

Edit: I also found this document about SSC project Rainbow form the 32th Space symposium. The VLM-1 launcher will be the base line for the SSC (esrange) Sun-synchronous express launch service. In 2016 they will do the B2 phase flight safety risk assessment. They hope to have the service operational in 2020 with one to three launches annually of 100-150kg to 500-600km SSO. They want a launcher that has flown three successful flights. Besides the solid's it is only allowed to use use green propellants (ECAPS (ADN-liquid) or HTP liquid or hybrid), not hydrazine and NTO. The launcher has to be operational at temperatures as low as -20 deg. Celsius. 
I think Nammo North Star, PldSpace Arion 2, Leafspace Primo, SpaceLS Prometheus 1 and Horizons Black Arrow 2 might be contenders to VLM-1 (or S50-S50-European upper-stage).

[Rik ISS-fan]

Interesting post on cyclone4.blogspot.nl .
A S50 stage might be test fired in January 2017.
A VS-50 sounding rocket (most likely a single stage) might launch during November.

VLM-1 was excluded from the 2016 micro launcher list. (Actually not, ssc: sso express) But in my view VLM-1 is one of the most  rigid supported micro launcher developments, being backed by two or three nations.

[Rik ISS-fan]

So my previous post was wrong. The static test won't happen before the end of 2017.
But tests will happen. On the 23th of December on brazilianspace.blogspot the following news was posted:
The contract has been signed to produce 6x S50 casings.
- Two will be used for pressure tests.
- Two will be used for ground static firing tests
- Two will be used for two VS-50 (S50-S44{most likely} rockets)
And there is an option for two S50 stages can be use on the primary launch of VLM-1 (S50-S50-S44).
This will happen in the coming 26 months.

So they can't keep the development schedule, but there is progress on the VLM-1.

There are a lot more interesting post on this website. A more resent post is about the reason why VLS-1 was terminated (and most likely also VLM-Alfa). The Inertial Navigation System (SISNAV) will be developed using the VS-43 sounding rocket. This is most likely a single S43 stage, from the stockpile manufactured for VLS-1 flight.

The L75 engine developed in Brazil has been test fired in Germany. I think Brazil has the technology to build a family of orbital launchers. What lacks is the political willingness to spend lots on the launchers development.

I hope the VLM-1 will progress and become operational. I think the VLM-1 will form the upper-bound of the micro satellite launcher cost for Europe. I'll explain on request.

[Salo]

http://brazilianspace.blogspot.com/2017/02/momento-de-reflexao-segundo-o-sr-braga.html

[Salo]

http://revistapesquisa.fapesp.br/en/2016/05/27/a-brazilian-satellite/

[Steven Pietrobon]

http://revistapesquisa.fapesp.br/en/2016/05/27/a-brazilian-satellite/

That article is from January 2016 says that Amazônia-1 will be launched in 2018. The launch vehicle is yet to be determined. Orbit is 750 km with a 5 day revisit time. Mass is just over 500 kg.

[Rik ISS-fan]

VS-50 PDR has taken place.
A lot is under discussion in Brazil, they want a VLM launch before 2019.
I also stumbled accross this DLR MoRaBa page that shows VS-50, VBS-43 and VLM-1.
My guess is that VBS-43 is a S43 with thrust vector control. Nice short term replacement for the Castor 4B in Maxus sounding rocket program.
I don't think US DoD likes this at all.
I like the possible suborbital/ hypersonic science that could be enabled by these three rockets.

[Rik ISS-fan]

Lets do a update:
IAE VS-50 PDR announcement (old)
IAE project HARPIA (S43 static test) article with images
Brazil has offered the Alcatara Launch site to be used by the US. link (use translate)
But they have doubts. link2